College Football Recruiting: Breakdown of Scout's First 2012 5-Star Prospects

Scout.com released its first set of 2012 5-star prospects this week and the group has some very intriguing names in it. 

Looking at the list, it's easy to see what the fuss is about for each and every one of them. 

We may be a long way away from really putting our focus on the 2012 class, but here's another early look at some of the top players out there. 

Check out Scout's first 12 5-star prospects from the 2012 recruiting class. 

Kwon Alexander, OLB

At 6'2" and 200 lbs, Alexander plays outside linebacker, but he's got the speed and athleticism to switch over to safety at the next level. 

He plays a physical style with high energy and a great motor. There might not be a prospect from the 2012 class who's better in pursuit. 

Alexander is the type of player that opposing teams simply avoid at all costs. He sets the edge like a pro, is scary in space, and hits like a sledge hammer. 

With a great natural frame and the type of instincts that can't be taught, Alexander is one of the top linebackers in the nation. 

Arik Armstead, OT

Arik Armstead is one of the top offensive tackles of the 2012 recruiting class and will be joining his older brother Armond with the Trojans.

Arik is a two-sport athlete who plans on playing both basketball and football in college. The 6'7" and 265-pound prospect attended a football camp at UCLA in June and then headed to USC the next day for the Trojans' basketball camp. 

Armstead is a very athletic big man with great feet and a long pair of powerful arms; he's a near-ideal left tackle prospect.

The problem is he's also one of the best basketball players in California and might lean that way down the line. 

Mario Edwards, DE

At 6'3" and 240 lbs, Edwards is one of the most athletic big men in the 2012 class. He's really come into his own this season and seems to be getting better every single game.

Scouts have raved about his progression and potential and point toward him as one of the best high-ceiling prospects out there.

A physical player with great skills at the point of attack, Edwards doesn't have much trouble with offensive lineman at the high school level and is absolutely dominant against the run.

He's got an endless motor and the type of strength that makes life very difficult for the opposition.  That's where the comparisons to Jackson Jeffcoat enter. 

Eddie Goldman, DT

At 6'3" and 290 lbs, Goldman is a big guy who's only getting bigger. By the time he fills out, Goldman could be somewhere in the 310-330 range and that makes him a prime candidate for the nose. 

He takes on a double-team nearly every play and has a solid first step and push at the point of attack.

Not many prospects his age are able to handle the double-team so routinely, but Goldman doesn't appear to struggle with these duties at all. 

A workout warrior, Goldman is a specimen and the type of defensive tackle that coaches drool over. 

Johnathan Gray, RB

Maybe the next great back from the state of Texas, Johnathan Gray is one of the fastest backs in the 2012 class.

He can hit full speed almost immediately and is so explosive off the line of scrimmage. He may only be 5'11" and 190 lbs, but Gray will hit the hole as hard as anyone and runs really well between the tackles. 

A patient runner with great vision, Gray will take it up the middle or cut it outside depending on the situation and has the elite speed to go the distance any play. 

Add in a solid pair of hands and some pretty good blocking skills and you have yourself a complete back. 

Dorial Green-Beckham, WR

An athlete of Green-Beckham's stature is a very rare thing indeed. He might be the best high school athlete to ever come out of Missouri and there's a good argument to back that up. 

Last season, the 6'5", 200-pound phenom was the hands-down best football player in the country, dominating defenses as a wide receiver like few can. 

He then moved over to the hardwood and transformed into one of the most dominant basketball players in the state, serving as a double-double machine and a consistent, high-flying highlight reel. 

When it came to track, he won two state titles, one for the 100-meter dash and a second for the triple jump; he also finished second in the long jump. 

They're calling him the next Randy Moss. 

Keith Marshall, RB

Marshall has been described as the type of back who could play in any offensive system and succeed. Scout calls him the total package at running back. 

He's got off-the-charts field vision and that sixth gear that makes him a very dangerous home run hitter. There are some players who make it look so easy out there and he's one of them.  

Marshall is on the small side right now, but he runs with his pads low and isn't afraid of contact.

At 5'11" and 180 lbs, he's got the frame to bulk up and could be a scary prospect with some more muscle on his bones. 

Andrus Peat, OT

The 6'6" and 280-pound lineman has been described as the top offensive tackle in the West. The Arizona prospect has NFL bloodlines and scarily enough doesn't even look close to reaching his full size. 

He seems to grow a little more every game. 

He's got some of the best drive-blocking skills you'll ever find and has a mean streak that every great lineman needs to have. 

Peat is projected as a left tackle, but he's got the versatility to play on either side of the line. Based on the way he blocks, a switch to guard isn't out of the question either. 

Rushel Shell, RB

The Pennsylvania running back has more hype surround him than any prospect from the state since quarterback Terrelle Pryor.

There's a ton of pressure on him to be the best and so far he hasn't disappointed. Shell has 4,427 career rushing yards and is off to a very hot start in 2010. 

He's drawn comparisons to Tony Dorsett and based on what he's shown so far, they seem wholly deserved. 

Shell has racked in over 20 offers from all over the country, but he's long been considered an Ohio State lean because of his relationship with Pryor. 

Noah Spence, DE

Defensive end Noah Spence has had a great high school career to this point, registering 40 tackles and 9.5 sacks as a freshman and following it up with a 55-tackle, eight-sack season as a sophomore. 

His high school coach, Jeff Weachter, projects Spence to be in the 6'5" and 270-pound range by the time he hits the college game and will challenge LeSean McCoy, now with the Philadelphia Eagles, as the best player in school history. 

Bishop McDevitt is always in the mix for the Pennsylvania's 4A state championship and that should keep Spence in the spotlight throughout his junior year. 

He's already at over 20 offers and counting.

John Theus, OT

The top prospect from the state of Florida, John Theus is a towering offensive tackle at 6'6" and 278 lbs. 

He's bulked up a lot over the summer and the difference in strength is really showing. But not only that, Theus has been hard at work when it comes to his technique.

In the early goings of the 2010 season, to say he looks like an elite prospect is a bit of an understatement. 

Theus has near ideal size, strength, and athleticism to be one of the top offensive tackles in the country. But it's his relentless work ethic that's really enticing. 

Shaquille Thompson, S

Shaquille Thompson is the younger brother of Cal cornerback Syd'Quan Thompson and right now looks like an even better prospect than his brother did. 

He's got the skill-set to be an elite talent at both safety and running back, and could even play at wide receiver or cornerback if given time to develop. 

Thompson craves contact like few prospects and absolutely levels opponents when given the chance. 

While he's spent a good amount of time at running back, with 400 rushing yards through two games this season, there's no denying his talent in the secondary.